The World War II Airborne Demonstration Team is very lucky to own a WWII era C-47 Dakota for training and demonstration purposes. ‘Boogie Baby’ a 1942 Oklahoma built C-47A-DK is currently owned by the Team and is operated by Regional Air.
‘Boogie Baby’ was assembled in 1942 at the Douglas Plant in Tinker, Oklahoma and was one of some 5354 C-47 Dakota III aircraft that were built at the plant during the war and was given the manufacturers serial number 12060. She was delivered and registered with the U.S.A.A.F. as aircraft 42-92277 before being diverted in November 1943 under the Lend-Lease program to the Royal Air Force in Montreal, Canada where it was allocated the RAF registration FL633 on 11th January 1944.
On 31st January 1944, ‘Boogie Baby was transferred to the command of 512 Squadron RAF and based at RAF Hendon just outside London, England. She was transferred, with a nucleus of crewmembers from 512 Squadron, to the newly formed 575 Squadron on 14th February 1944, who were also based at RAF Hendon. On 14th February 1944, both 512 and 575 Squadrons were both moved from RAF Hendon to RAF Broadwell, England for them to continue their training and preparations for the upcoming invasion of Normandy. Boogie Baby went with them, remaining there until 10th April 1944 when she was transferred to Air Command South East Asia and based in India. Here she saw action delivering valuable supplies to the troops fighting in the jungles of Burma and, as you will see, made many relief deliveries to Imphal and the Chindits. She remained in operation here until June 1944 when she was transferred to Middle East Command, based in Cairo, Egypt. From here, ‘Boogie Baby’ was moved to Corsica, and Italy before returning to the Middle East and Cairo at the end of August 1944, where she remained in service until the end of WWII. In late 1945, she was returned to the UK with 1382 Transport Support Conservation Unit and based at Wymeswold, England until the termination of her military service.
At the end of the war, ‘Boogie Baby’ was reregistered as a civilian aircraft TC-Yol and continued its cargo duties in 1946 with Turkish Airlines before again being reregistered as CS-TAI with Universal Air Leasing of Boavista and operated by Air Acores in 1969. In 1975 she was again in military service registered as 4XFNT/Serial No. 029 with the Israel Air Force, where she remained until being sold to Global Aircrafts and regaining a civilian registration of N751 in 1999. She was shipped back to the USA in 1999 via Malta, where she was acquired by the Oklahoma Airborne Museum in 2000 and based at Lawton, Oklahoma, before moving to Frederick Army Airfield, Frederick, Oklahoma in 2005.
Here is a photo album with pictures of our C-47, along with our DC-3 and home base facilities.
Background
Information about individual aircraft movements during World War II is difficult to find. The only specific information held regarding aircraft movements is held in Operational Record Books (ORB) that are Squadron specific. Most Squadron activity does not include particular individual aircraft and concentrates more on the overall missions irrespective of which aircraft take part in the mission. Information held also depends on the detail that has been recorded by the duty officer when completing the paperwork. This too varies enormously in quality and detail.
The information contained in this summary for FL633 has been taken from the Operational Record Book (ORB) for the Squadron where the aircraft in question was based. In support of monthly activity, where applicable, detailed summary information sourced from accompanying appendix information to the ORB has also been included. Where no specific squadron was detailed in the history of FL633 it has been impossible, at this stage, to find detailed record of activity. There are therefore many gaps in the history. In addition it should be noted that some of the missions were spread over a number of days. Where shown, times are the departure from and return to base times noted and these may not necessarily be on the same day. In some cases missions would last for several days.
Even within the ORB, some information has been deemed to be too sensitive to record or even defined as Top Secret. Where further details have been found, this has been included in the overall detail with accompanying notes where available.
Information was gathered by Gordon Stewart at the UK National Archive and Public Records Office and is by no means comprehensive.
Key Abbreviations
WC – Wing Commander
CO – Commanding Officer
SL – Squadron Leader
FL – First Flight Lieutenant
FO – Flying Officer
PO – Pilot Officer
Sgt – Sergeant
WO – Warrant Officer
Lbs – Pounds weight
Mission Calendar
January 1944
Date 11 – 31 January 1944
Squadron 512
Location Hendon, North London, UK
Aircraft FL633 was accepted into Hendon RAF station. There is no specific detailed information held about the missions completed specifically by this aircraft during this time. However, during this period 512 Squadron was shipping unspecified freight and passengers between RAF Hendon and Lyneham (Nr Swindon) and onto Rabat and Gibraltar.
February 1944
Date 31 – 28 March 1944
Squadron 575
Location Hendon, UK and Broadwell, UK
Information Compiled by Squadron Adjutant FO C.J.A. Hogg
Aircraft FL633 was transferred to 575 Squadron as part of an allotment of 10 aircraft. 575 Squadron was formed from a nucleus of crew from 512 Squadron and was developed with the function of paratroop and supply dropping and glider towing in operation with Tactical Air Force. No specific operations are detailed although the squadron was in basic training for most of February before moving to Broadwell, Oxfordshire.
Note. The specific crew members who were transferred with the aircraft are detailed in the ORB. These are:-
WC T.A.Jefferson who was the commanding officer for 575Sq.
SL Pascall, Russell, Sproule.
FL Legge, Goodwin, Ellworthy, Pearson, Bollington, Evans, Hogan.
FO Atkins, McFarline, Charlton, Porter, Cunliffe, Hall, Curry, Briscoe, Learmont.
PO Quin, Mackanson, Falloner, Warren, Harras, Lomas, Osborne, McKensie, Robertson, Depol, Wright, Lavoie
On 5th June 1944 575Sq were responsible for carrying no.5 Paratroop Brigade in Operation Tonga, reaching their DZ at 00.57 on 06 June 1944, with all aircraft returning safely to base. On 6th June 1944, 575Sq too part in Operation Rob Roy and Mallard, towing 19 gliders into Normandy. FL633 had been transferred before these missions took place but the preceding time was spent training for the invasion
Date 03 February
Squadron 575
Location Hendon, UK
Information Compiled by Not specified
As aircraft arrive from other squadrons, ‘crew ups’ conversion training is undertaken.
Date 11 February
Squadron 575
Location Hendon, UK
Information Compiled by Not specified
Advance party under command of SL Spoule heads move to Broadwell
Date 14 February
Squadron 575
Location Broadwell, UK
Information Compiled by Not specified
Main party arrives at new base and under the command of WC T.A. Jefferson new structure and plans are established
Date 15 February
Squadron 575
Location Broadwell, UK
Information Compiled by Not specified
Sla Cragg, Rascall and Horsfall assume command of ‘A’, ‘B’, and ‘C’ flights respectively
Date 18 February
Squadron 575
Location Broadwell, UK
Information Compiled by Not specified
Operational training now commenced
Date 19 February
Squadron 575
Location Broadwell, UK
Information Compiled by Not specified
4 new aircraft arrive and training continues
Date 20 February
Squadron 575
Location Broadwell, UK
Information Compiled by Not specified
2 new aircraft arrive and training continues
Date 21 February
Squadron 575
Location Broadwell, UK
Information Compiled by Not specified
1 new aircraft arrive and training continues
Date 22 February
Squadron 575
Location Broadwell, UK
Information Compiled by Not specified
1 new aircraft arrive and training continues
Date 25 February
Squadron 575
Location Broadwell, UK
Information Compiled by Not specified
5 new aircraft arrive and 5 crews carry out local flying exercises
Date 27 February
Squadron 575
Location Broadwell, UK
Information Compiled by Not specified
1 new aircraft arrive and FO C.J.A. Hogg arrived to take up Adjutants duties. 11 crews carry out local flying exercises
Date 28 February
Squadron 575
Location Broadwell, UK
Information Compiled by Not specified
3 new aircraft arrive and 7 crews carry out local flying exercises
Date 29 February
Squadron 575
Location Broadwell, UK
Information Compiled by Not specified
3 new aircraft arrive. Early day flying and night flying exercises continue. 52 crews now allotted to ‘A’, ‘B’ and ‘C’ flights. Aircraft strength 30. 8 crews carried out local daytime exercises and 6 crews carried out night time exercises.
Date 01 March 1944
Squadron 575
Location Broadwell, UK
Information Compiled by Not specified
1 new aircraft arrived and training continues. 10 crews carry out glider towing and cross country exercises.
Date 02 March 1944
Squadron 575
Location Broadwell, UK
Information Compiled by Not specified
3 new aircraft arrived. 24 crews carry out cross country glider towing
Date 03 March 1944
Squadron 575
Location Broadwell, UK
Information Compiled by Not specified
1 new aircraft arrived. 25 crews carry out cross country glider towing exercises
Date 04 March 1944
Squadron 575
Location Broadwell, UK
Information Compiled by Not specified
1 new aircraft arrived. 30 crews carried out day cross country and glider towing exercises. 7 crews carried out night flying landing exercises.
Date 05 March 1944
Squadron 575
Location Broadwell, UK
Information Compiled by Not specified
43 crews carried out cross country and formation exercises
Date 06 March 1944
Squadron 575
Location Broadwell, UK
Information Compiled by Not specified
30 crews carried out cross country and formation exercises during the day. Night time exercises cancelled because of bad weather.
Date 07 March 1944
Squadron 575
Location Broadwell, UK
Information Compiled by Not specified
25 crews carried out cross country formation and map reading day exercises. 23 crews carried out night flying exercises
Date 08 March 1944
Squadron 575
Location Broadwell, UK
Information Compiled by Not specified
18 crews carried out exercise No.15 and cross country flying. Night time exercises cancelled because of bad weather.
Date 09 March 1944
Squadron 575
Location Broadwell, UK
Information Compiled by Not specified
23 crews carried out day flying training exercises. Night time exercises cancelled because of bad weather
Date 10 March 1944
Squadron 575
Location Broadwell, UK
Information Compiled by Not specified
6 crews carried out exercise No.15 during daytime. Night exercises cancelled again because of bad weather.
Date 11 March 1944
Squadron 575
Location Broadwell, UK
Information Compiled by Not specified
15 crews carried out exercise No.7 & 8 during the night. 48 day flights in formation, low level cross country and ‘quick take off and landing’ exercises were carried out
Date 12 March 1944
Squadron 575
Location Broadwell, UK
Information Compiled by Not specified
31 crews carried out exercise No.15 during daylight. 25 crews carried out exercise No.14 at night
Date 13 March 1944
Squadron 575
Location Broadwell, UK
Information Compiled by Not specified
27 crews carried out exercises No.3 & 4 during daylight. 21 carried out exercises during the night
Date 14 March 1944
Squadron 575
Location Broadwell, UK
Information Compiled by Not specified
31 flights of low level release and squadron formation exercises were carried out. 13 flights of glider towing and cross country formation exercises were carried out in daylight.
Date 15 March 1944
Squadron 575
Location Broadwell, UK
Information Compiled by Not specified
24 crews engaged in glider towing and cross country flights in daylight
Date 16 February 1944
Squadron 575
Location Broadwell, UK
Information Compiled by Not specified
15 crews were engaged in Operation “Faith”. 1 paratrooper was killed in an accident when an aircraft wing severed his parachute shroud lines in the air.
Date 17 March 1944
Squadron 575
Location Broadwell, UK
Information Compiled by Not specified
15 crews were engaged in Operation “Hope” at Netheravon without incident
Date 18 March 1944
Squadron 575
Location Broadwell, UK
Information Compiled by Not specified
9 crews carried out exercise “Charity” at Netheravon – 1 paratrooper casualty
Date 19 March 1944
Squadron 575
Location Broadwell, UK
Information Compiled by Not specified
9 crews carried out formation glider towing across country as a special exercise
Date 20 March 1944
Squadron 575
Location Broadwell, UK
Information Compiled by Not specified
18 crews carried out glider towing across country in formation. Squadron crews witnessed massed parachute drop by USA Air Force during afternoon. Aircraft and gliders returned from cross country and glider release exercises in the afternoon
Date 21 March 1944
Squadron 575
Location Broadwell, UK
Information Compiled by Not specified
11 aircraft from ‘C’ flight engaged in low level and cross country flying. 11 aircraft of ‘A’ engaged in squadron formation exercises during the afternoon while 4 planes of ‘B’ flight engaged in formation flying during the morning and 6 during the afternoon
Date 22 March 1944
Squadron 575
Location Broadwell, UK
Information Compiled by Not specified
10 aircraft of ‘C’ flight in squadron formation practice and ‘quick take off’ and landing in succession. 1 aircraft convoyed parachute to and from Netheravon re exercises. 12 aircraft of ‘A’ flight engaged in squadron formation practice. 3 aircraft of ‘B’ flight engaged in squadron formation practice in the morning and 5 in the afternoon
Date 23 March 1944
Squadron 575
Location Broadwell, UK
Information Compiled by Not specified
11 aircraft of ‘C’ flight engaged in glider towing formation exercises cross country. 6 aircraft of ‘A’ flight engaged in parachute dropping in the morning, 3 in glider towing formation in the afternoon. 6 aircraft of ‘B’ flight engaged in formation towing and formation parachute dropping in the morning and 4 carried out glider tugging in the afternoon
Date 24 March 1944
Squadron 575
Location Broadwell, UK
Information Compiled by Not specified
20 crews carried out squadron formation cross country exercises in the morning. 19 carried out squadron formation cross country training in the afternoon
Date 25 March 1944
Squadron 575
Location Broadwell, UK
Information Compiled by Not specified
17 crews carried out full scaled parachute dropping exercise “Bizz” during the afternoon
Date 26 March 1944
Squadron 575
Location Broadwell, UK
Information Compiled by Not specified
13 crews engaged in low level cross country formation flying. 2 carried out long range cross country exercises in the afternoon. 2 crews were occupied in local flying while 3 practiced high level cross country flying at night
Date 27 March 1944
Squadron 575
Location Broadwell, UK
Information Compiled by Not specified
7 crews carried out glider towing practice in the morning. 16 crews engaged in glider formation towing in the afternoon. 2 crews engaged in low level flying and 3 practiced high level cross country flying at night
Date 28 March 1944
Squadron 575
Location Broadwell, UK
Information Compiled by Not specified
4 aircraft and crewsv departed for Hendon, UK en route to India in the morning (Boogie Baby was one of those 4 aircraft). 3 aircraft flew to Netheravon in formation practice and dummy paratrooper dropping in the afternoon. 7 crews practiced glider tugging in formation in the afternoon. 4 carried out night glider towing in formation
Date 29 March – 09 April 1944
Squadron 575
Location Broadwell, UK
Information Compiled by Not specified
FL633 is prepared and travelling en rout to is new base as part of Air Command South East Asia.
Date 09 April – 12 May 1944
Squadron Unknown out to ACSEA
Location Believed to be based in Agartala, India
Aircraft FL633 was transferred to Air Command South East Asia. No records for this period can be located until she is again identified as part of 512 Squadron.
May 1944
Date 12 May 1944 - 1945
Squadron 512
Location Detached to Agartala, India
Aircraft FL633 was in possession of 512 Squadron based in the Middle East but was part of a detachment given to ACSEA
Air Traffic Control Impahl
Date/Time 12 May 1944 0600 – 1840
Crew Captain Strauss and crew
Mission Agartala – Jorhat – Imphal – Chandina - Agartala
Cargo 1300lbs of freight – 50 passengers
Date/Time 14May 1944 0655 – 1430
Crew FL Gaynor and crew
Mission Agartala – Jorhat – Imphal – Chandina - Agartala
Cargo
5000lbs of freight, 5000lbs of supplies and 30 passengers.
Date/Time 16 May 1944 0740 - 1455
Crew FO Thompson and crew
Mission Agartala – Imphal – Silhet - Agartala
Cargo 12500lbs of freight and 5 passengers
Date/Time 19 May – 20th May 1944 1600 - 1605
Crew Captain Purchase and Crew
Mission Agartala – Silhet – Agartala
Cargo
5500lbs of supplies
Date/Time 22 May 1944 0600
Crew FL Rowson and crew
Mission Supply dropping not successful due weather – cloud and heavy rain over DZ.
Cargo
No details given.
Date/Time 24 May 1944 0700 - 1555
Crew SL Carter and crew
Mission Agartala – Silhet – DZ Blackpool
Cargo 5500lbs of supplies
Para-dropping supplies
Date/Time 25 May 1944 0655 – 1915
Crew SL H.F. Carter and crew
Mission Agartala – Imphal, Jorhat, Palel, Jorhat, Imphal, Agartala
Cargo
11500lbs of freight and 15 passengers
Date/Time 29 May 1944 0655 – 1750
Crew SL H.F. Carter and crew
Mission Agartala – RE871552 – RE825680
Cargo 12600lbs of supplies
Date/Time 31 May 1944 0913 – 1840
Crew SL H.F. Carter and crew
Mission Agartala – Palel - Agartala
Cargo
10700lbs of freight and 7900lbs of freight
JUNE 1944
During the month of June, routine flights were carried out. No new commitments. Squadron detachment to India continued to carry troops, passengers, equipment and freight and was deployed on supply dropping until 8th June 1944, when they returned to base. From a domestic point of view, a great improvement was made in the move to a new campsite at the North East area of station on 28th June. Key feature is permanent mess with ablution facilities.
A letter was received from Air Marshal Sir J.E.A. Baldwin of HQ 3rd Tactical Air Force South East Asia stating that with a skeleton strength the 16 crews and 79 ground crew did very well.
Date/Time 01 June 1944 0600 - 1825
Crew Captain T.E. Purchase, WO Swetman, FS Wood
Mission Agartala – Silhet – Kangla – Jorhat – Imphal – Jorhat – Silhet - Agartala
Cargo
5000lbs of ammo, 5500lbs of freight, 30 troops with equipment, 4000lbs of empty shell cases.
Date/Time 02 June 1944 0700 - 1035
Crew SL H.F.Carter
Mission Supply dropping unsuccessful due bad weather over DZ.
Date/Time 02 June 1944 1355 - 1800
Crew SL H.F.Carter
Mission Agartala – RE975521
Cargo 6400lbs of supplies
Date/Time 03 June 1944 0620 – 0955
Crew PO J.A.Milburn, WO F.W.Dodgson
Mission Agartala – Palel – Agartala
Cargo
5952lbs rations, 2200lbs empty petrol drums.
Date/Time 03 June 1944 1125 – 1530
Crew PO J.A.Milburn, WO F.W.Dodgson
Mission Agartala – Palel – Agartala
Cargo
2200lbs empty petrol drums, 6000lbs milk
Date/Time 04 June 1944 0540 - 0925
Crew FL D.M.Gaynor
Mission Agartala – 2547N, 9407E
Cargo 6300lbs supplies.
A second mission that day was unsuccessful due to bad weather.
Date/Time 06 June 1944 0530 – 1025
Crew FL J.H. Carter
Mission Agartala – RE975520
Cargo 6000lbs of supllies
Date/Time 06 June 1944 1125 – 1925
Crew FO P.J.Hirst, WO E.A. Barefoot
Mission Agartala – Jorhat, Imphal, Agartala
Cargo 1200lbs of supplies
Date/Time 07 June 1944 0554 - 1605
Crew FL J.C.Wardill, Sgt.Stokes
Mission Agartala – Kangla – Jorhat – Imphal – Jorhat - Agartala
Cargo
6000lbs of supplies, 30 passengers with kit, 2000lbs empty oil drums.
Date 08 June 1944 – 22 june 1944
Squadron 512 Detachment completed and returned to the rest of the squadron in Cairo, Egypt.
Location Broadwell, UK
Information Compiled by Not specified
4 new aircraft arrive and training continues
Date/Time 22 June – 24th June 1944 0035 - 1250
Crew FO J.E.Bradley, FO R.F.Joyce
Mission Cairo West – Marble Arch – Castel Benito – Biskra – Algiers – Oujda – Rabat – Algiers – Castel Benito – Cario West
Cargo Freight and passengers
Date/Time 28 June 1944
Crew FO R.C.Kundy, 1st Sgt. Bird
Mission Cairo West – Meliopolis – Wilhemena – Lakatamia – Wilhemina – Cairo West
Cargo Freight and passengers
Date/Time 30 June - 06 July 1944 0025 - 1140
Crew FO J.W.B.Lindley
Mission Cairo West - Marble Arch – Castel Benito – Biskra – Maison Blanche – Oujda – Rabat – Maison Blanche – Castel Benito – El-Adem – Cairo West
Cargo Freight and passengers
.
JULY 1944
July missions seem to have been curtailed as it saw the 25th Anniversary of the squadron being based in Egypt. On 08 July 1944 a large celebration was made at the base to celebrate the squadron’s activation in 1919 in Marquise, France to its current activity in Kantara, Egypt. WC W.R.Read who was C/O in 1919 was invited along with two other former C/O’s of the squadron WC Rustom and WC Morris.
Also the squadron’s activities were further curtailed by the movement of part of the group to Italy. Originally this was to be to Viterbo but the order was subsequently changed to Bevinco, Corsica. In addition at the end of the month aircraft were sent to undergo training for Operation Dragoon.
.
Date/Time 09 July – 11 July 1944 0005 - 1745
Crew FL Konarzenski
Mission Cairo West – Benina – Castel Benito – Maison Blanche – Castel Benito – Benina – Cairo West
Cargo Freight and passengers
Date/Time 18 July 1944
Crew Unspecified under leadership of SL C.R.Glen
Mission Party of 3 aircraft travelled to Bevinco to set up new base there
Cargo Equipment, tents etc.
18th July advance party of three aircraft piloted by SL Glenn, FO Rivalant and WO J. Howard left Cairo West at 0800 for Castel Benito where they spent the night. The following day they left Castel Benito at 0700 and flew to Bevinco. The airport is used for transport and communication aircraft and is a single strip, hard earth and 1200 yard long. Dispersal is cramped as surrounded by trees. Camp is one mile away and transport was borrowed from No. 63 Staging Post as our own transport has not arrived from the mainland.
20th July main party arrives and everybody settled in.
22 July Motor transport arrives. Operated double route to Maison Blanche to pick up spares and to Capodichino to get supplies. Pleasant camp with nearby stream to bathe, but lots of mosquitoes in the evening.
Date/Time 30 July 1944 0050 – 1445
Crew FO P.R.Vickery, FO L.P.Lee, FL D.M.Gaynor, PO J.C.McCallum
Mission Cairo West – El-Adem – Luqa – Naples (crew change) Luqa – Benina – Cairo West
Cargo Freight and passengers
AUGUST 1944
Note. During August the Squadron was paid the high honour of being visited by Lord Louis Mountbatten, Commander in Chief, South East Asia, who complimented the Squadron on its work while in India.. In addition during August, 4 aircraft – led by Air Commadore Whitney W. Straight C.B.E. M.C. D.F.C. went of a special mission from Algiers to Le Bourget – Paris via Marseille and Toulouse with members of the French National Committee of Liberation. Routine flights were operated to Maison Blanche to get supplies to build up No. 135 ASP in the Calvi area.
Date/Time 14 August 1944
Crew Unspecified
Mission Aicraft were dispatched to Galera, Italy to obtain loads of and then flew to Ajaccio.
Cargo 5700lbs comprised of dispatchers, ‘Window’ and ‘Chaff’ (for jamming Radar and assimilation of each aircraft to represent a formation of 40), miniature parachutist dummies and simulated rifle machine gun fire
Date/Time 15 - 16 August 1944
Crew FL G.Russell Glen
Mission Aircraft was sent in support of “Operation Dragoon” Crews were sent for training by Para-Resupply from 334 Quartermaster Company. Aircraft left from Ajaccio in good weather with low cloud, at 3 minute intervals steering a course due west for 151 miles, then due north for 92 miles striking the coast in the centre of the Ciotat Bay. Convoy hit landfall spread out over 5 mile area but DZ was found without difficulty 14 miles north of Toulon. Dropping commenced between 600-700ft above peak at a speed of 110-120mph. Many flashes and red lights were seen from first drop. Navigation was assisted by radar and red tracers were fired from La Coitat. In the distance Marseille and Toulouse could be seen being bombed. Time over the drop zone was from 0349 – 0419. Laying window was no problem. This was done by the 6 re-supply crew and the JumpMaster.
The following day, ASPs were continued and many units, both American, French and British were moved onto the south of France. A daily mail run was also commenced between Bevinco and Le Luc.
Cargo
5700lbs of equipment comprising;
60 parachutes weighing 40lbs each
3 rifle simulators weighing 70lbs each
Window Type ‘N’
Window Type ‘CHR-1’
25 Pintails weighing 150lbs
6 panniers for chutes weighing 150lbs
Crew re-supply weighing 1400lbs
Date/Time 17 August 1944
Crew AC Whitney Straight
Mission Bevinco – St Catherines - Ramatuelle - Bevinco
Cargo Assist move of No324 Spitfire Wing to new base at Ramatuelle, France.
Note. Operation Dragoon was the revised name given to Operation Anvil and the invasion assault on Southern France. Window is the name given to small aluminium strips that were used to interfere with German radar. The aluminium strips created a fog on the German radar screens which inhibited their ability to clearing identify what was happening.
Date/Time 23 August 1944 0040 - 1700
Crew FL J.C.Mardile, FO R.T.McComes
Mission Freight and passengers
Cargo Cairo West - El-Adem - Luqa – Capodichino – Malta – Menina – Cairo West
Date/Time 27 – 28 August 1944 0355 - 1720
Crew FL J.P.Ford, FO C.A.Bourne D.F.C.
Mission Freight and passengers
Cargo Cairo West – Al-Adem – Luqa – Naples – Luqa – Benina – Cairo West
Date/Time 31 August – 02 September 1944 0330 – 1800
Crew LT C.Carter-Johnson, FL Konarzewski
Mission Cairo West – El-Adem – Luqa – Naples – Malta – Benina – Cairo West
Cargo Freight and passengers
SEPTEMBER 1944
September’s activities were curtailed due to the training of new crews and pilots. In addition there were classified “Top Secret” flights to Russia and a special flight to take the Russian Ambassador to Tehran.
Date/Time 04 - 05 September 1944 0450 - 1320
Crew FL R.C.Hopkins, PO G.D.Corbett
Mission Cairo West – Wilhelma – Beiruth – Cyprus – Beiruth – Wilhelma – Cairo West
Cargo Freight and passengers
Date/Time 26 September 1944 0055 – 1630
Crew PO R.Pegues, FL J.C.Wardill
Mission Cairo West – Gambut – Luqa – Capodichino – Luqa – Benina – Cairo West
Cargo Freight and passengers
OCTOBER 1944
Routine flights were operated to Bari, Naples, Rabat, Sale and special flights to Wilhomina (Palestine), Aden and Adana (Turkey).
Date/Time 02 - 03 October 1944 0350 – 2315
Crew FO Pegues, FO G.E.J.E.Creteur
Mission Cairo West – El-Adem – Luqa – Capo – Luqa – Benina – Cairo West
Cargo Freight and passengers
Date/Time 05 October 1944 0330 – 1600
Crew FL P.A.C.Jackson
Mission Cairo West – Idku – Berka – Idku – Cairo West
Cargo Freight and Passengers
Date/Time 14 - 22 October 1944 1155 – 1530
Crew WC G.N.Frangistas
Mission Cairo West – Marsa Matruh – El-Adem – Kalamaki – El-Adem – Kalamaki – ElAdem – Kalamaki – El-Adem – Cairo West
Cargo Freight and passengers
Date/Time 24 - 25 October 1944 0200 – 1710
Crew WC G.N.Frangistas, FL A.P.F.Walker
Mission Cairo West – El-Adem – Luqa – Bari – Luqa – El-Adem – Cairo West
Cargo Freight and passengers
NOVEMBER 1944
During November again missions were curtailed as the squadron was moved to a new location at Bari. The aircraft was used to fly Sir Bernhard Rawlings to London as well as to fly the coffin of Lord Morne to the UK. In addition, tours of the Balkans were undertaken.
Date/Time 04 November 1944 1140 – 1305
Crew WO J.English. Sgt A.Hand
Mission Bari – Athens – Bari
Cargo 4000lbs of freight (jeeps) and passengers
Date/Time 10 November 1944 1105 – 1705
Crew FL B.Marshall, Sgt Bennett
Mission Bari – Naples – Bari – Athens – Bari
Cargo 3920lbs of freight, 180lbs of mail and 1 passenger (urgent load of tyres)
Date/Time 19 November 1944 1830 - 2345
Crew WO English, Sgt Hand
Mission Bari – Zemun – Bari
Cargo 18 passengers. Received no ground signals so returned to Bari with delivering passengers.
Date/Time 20 November 1944 1350 – 1815
Crew FL P.R.Grifin, Sgt Openshaw
Mission Bari- Piccadilly Joan (Yugoslavia) – Bari
Cargo 5000lbs of freight
Note: Flew in daylight formation escorted by Spitfires. Clothing and stores were delivered to Partisans. Excellent impressions created by punctual and regular arrival of British aircraft.
DECEMBER 1944
December activities were limited because of the requirement to undertake special flights to Athens because of the problems there. On these trips the aircraft often received incoming fire from ELAS Forces. Operations were also curtailed because of bad weather in the Balkans
Date/Time 22 - 24 December 1944 0120 – 1930
Crew FL P.A.C.Jackson
Mission Cairo – Benina – Castel Benito – El Aouina – Masion Blanche – Biskra – Castel Benito – Cairo West
Cargo Freight and passengers
Date/Time 28 December 1944
Crew FL E.P.Coughlan
Mission Special Flight - Cairo West – Lydda – Cairo West
Cargo Unspecified
JANUARY 1945
From January 1945, the Operational Record Books no longer contain detailed information by mission or by aircraft. Details are held in brief summary of activity for the month. In sum instances and for some missions the aircraft number is recorded, but this is the exception. During this period the aircraft was operating routine schedules of freight and passenger delivery.
Routine flights were operated from Cairo to Naples (Pomigliano) stopping at El Adem and Luqa. Bari detachment returned after 6 months away. Three more detachments were made sending planes to Karachi and to transport food to landing grounds between Bahrein and Karachi.
FEBRUARY 1945
Routine flights operated to Cyprus, Habbaniya, Arabia and to Khartoum and Aden.
MARCH 1945
Routine flights to Habbaniya and Cyprus.
APRIL 1945
Undertook training of 96 Squadron which is scheduled for completion 02 may 1945. Flights are operating at night because of the heat.
Date/Time 04 April 1945
Crew Unspecified
Mission Aircraft flew to Cawnpore o special flight to collect urgently required material unobtainable in the Middle East.
Cargo Unspecified
On VE Day, 08 May 1945 several of the men had to work overtime as there were problems. There was bungee failures and riggers had to work to correct these faults.
MAY 1945
Operated to Eastleigh, Habbaniya, Khartoum, Aden and Karachi
Date/Time 21 May 1945
Crew FS J.A. Harrison
Mission Aircraft departed for Masira to help move HQ Middle East to Aden.
Cargo Unspecified
JUNE 1945
Routine flights were operated throughout June on the following routes, 331/2, 343/4, 347/8, 465/6, 456/7, CKA and CLH.
Date/Time 10 June 1945
Crew FL L. Williams and crew
Mission Aircraft departed for special flight to Durban, South Africa.
Cargo Unspecified
JULY 1945
Operations were curtailed due to unservicability. Broken undercarriage bungees, the lack of spares and excessive overheating causing oil leaks made it impossible to maintain routine flights. Flights were laid on to accommodate HQ Iraq, Persia but backlogs happened.
Date/Time 18 July 1945
Crew WO K.E. Elsden
Mission Departed on a special flight to Nairobi, Kenya.
Cargo Unspecified
AUGUST 1945
Routine flights were heavily curtailed due to unservicability of aircraft. Special commitments to Persian Gulf caused cancellation of flights on routes 331/ and 343/4.
SEPTEMBER 1945
Routine flights were carried out on routes CKN, CHS, 332 and 344.
Date/Time 26 September 1945
Crew FL J.B.Thompson and crew
Mission Departed on special flight to Naples
Cargo Unspecified
Date/Time 29 September 1945
Crew WO M.R.H Easton
Mission Cairo West – Biskra – Cairo West
Cargo Special flight
OCTOBER 1945
Routine flights were carried on throughout October to CK, CK, and routes 465/6. A special parade for awards of the Air Force Cross to FL R.P. Tissandierwas held.
Date/Time 11 October 1945
Crew FO E.W. Young
Mission Special flight to Aden and from there to carry out shuttle flights between Aden and Asmara
Cargo Unspecified
NOVEMBER 1945
Date Unknown
Squadron 1382 Transport Support Conservation Unit
Location Wymeswold, UK
Information Compiled by Not specified
FL633 was returned to the UK for unspecified use and transfer to civilian use.